Staph is a bacteria that more than 25-percent of us carry. It could be dangerous if it gets into your bloodstream.

In the summer, we wear less clothing and we come in contact with more people in various outdoor activities. That extra contact makes it easier to get staph.

Staph is a bacteria that lives in your skin and it can lead to a nasty infection like this:

"She's okay now, but she got IV staph infection and she got it at the hospital when they put the knee in," said Martin.

Dr Sarah Fitzgerald said you can get staph pretty much anywhere.

"The bacteria is transmitted via touch,” said Dr. Fitzgerald. “If you do have an open area of skin, that provides a portal for infection. Yes, it can also be transmitted walking barefoot in locker rooms."

Wearing less clothing exposes your skin to that infection and that is why Dr Stephen Phillips said it is easy to get in the summer. He said it is from those outdoor activities that we can catch the bacteria.

"There are a lot of infections that you can get from water, swimming in natural fresh water,” said Dr. Phillips. “They're not as common as you might think but if you have a wound, it's best not to get water like that on it for any extended period of time."

Whether it is a river, a public pool or a hospital, you can be at risk for staph.

"I guess it's just something that some people get. Lucky people ha," said Martin.

Doctors say the best way to avoid it is to keep your hands clean. The doctors, who spoke with a WHSV reporter, said they see at least one person a day with a staph infection. They say if you are going swimming or to a public place, protect your skin, especially if you have any cuts.

Doctors say always wash your hands with soap and warm water to lower your risk for getting staph. You can get the infection any time of year as long as someone else passes it to you.

 Follow Litsa Pappas on Facebook and Twitter.

© Copyright 2013 WHSV / Gray Television Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.